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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-07 Annual General Meeting (Annual General) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL NO. 4 M¢NUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING \ MAY 7, 2007 The 2006 Annual Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held at the Heritage Inn on Monday, May 7, 2007 commencing at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve W. Daniels I. Schroeder A.M. Philipsen C. Vermeeren M. Nesbitt S. Evans A. Eastman A. Eckert H. Wutzke STAFF PRESENT: N. Moriyama, Administrator B. Keith, Assistant Administrator S. Wylie, Superintendent of Public Works T. Green, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman J. Dell, Assessor C. Jakobsen, Administrative Secretary K. Halsted, Assessor S. Rodwell, Accounting Supervisor D. Erdman, Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator R. Roycroft, Development Control Officer 30 ratepayers and media were in attendance for the 2007 Annual Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4. The Administrator called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and welcomed ratepayers to the 2007 Annual Meeting. Introductions by staff and council at the head tables were then made. Election of Chairman The Administrator called for nominations for the position of Chairman. Councillor Philipsen nominated Lynn Pye-Matheson. There were no further nominations. Lynn Pye-Matheson was declared Chairman and assumed the Chair. -2- 2. Election of Secretary Chairman Lynn Pye-Matheson called for nominations for the position of Secretary. Jack Harbinson nominated N. Moriyama. There were no further nominations. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR VERMEEREN that nominations for the position of Secretary cease. MOTION CARRIED N. Moriyama was declared Secretary. 3. Adoption of Agenda MOVED BY D. ERDMAN that the Agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. Approval of Minutes of the 2006 Annual Meeting The following changes were made to the 2006 Annual Meeting minutes: Page 4 - Sandra Hajash's comment regarding development - insert "and has expanded to include two other businesses." after "nothing has been finalized". MOVED BY S. HAJASH that the 2006 Annual Meeting minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 5. Business from Minutes • Sandra Hajash requested that the secondary trucking business beside her property be investigated. -3- 6. Reeve's Report Reeve Douglass presented the Reeve's Report. Jack Harbinson asked where is the County at regarding the regional water system. Councillor Daniels advised that all the municipalities are in agreement except Duchess, therefore creating a for-profit company and that the agreement should be in place within six to eight months MOVED BY M. DOUGLASS that the Reeve's Report be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 7. Agricultural Service Board Chairman's Report The Agricultural Service Board Chairman, Councillor Eastman, presented this report. Jack Harbinson asked about getting adjacent municipalities surrounding the County of Newell to expand/initiate the coyote control program in their area. Steve Wylie advised that other municipalities have been contacted, including Wheatland County, M.D. of Taber and Cypress County, however they have not seen fit to implement the program. At this point the County of Newell is requiring an address within the County for the person to receive payment of the pallet. • John Pokorney asked about getting provincial government involved in control the coyote problem. Steve Wylie indicated that the provincial government has been contacted, but it is too much of a political issue to get involved in. • Tom Livingston stated that the coyote control can be taken care of on a local level. • Jack Harbinson stated that he feels the program is working. MOVED BY A. EASTMAN that the Agricultural Service Board Chairman's Report be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8. Municipal Committee Chairman's Report - The Municipal Committee Chairman, Councillor Daniels, presented this report. • Jack Harbinson asked when did the government go back to the 250/o/75% payment for paving of roads. Councillor Daniels stated that the County will be paying 25% and the province 75% for the paving of S.H. 876 and P.R. 130, otherwise the roads may not have been paved. • John Pokorney inquired about the dust on the road legally described as SW 15-16-13-W4M. Councillor Daniels advised that calcium would be put on the road in discussion this year. David Andrews requested that the County look into the dust control on the road just off of Highway 539 to the Bow City Colony Gravel Pit. A letter will be left with the Secretary with their objection. Councillor Vermeeren advised that the County will be contacting the company shortly to try to get the agreement finalized, and that it is written within the development permit that the applicant must have dust control procedures. Councillor Daniels advised that there will be a Municipal Planning Commission the last Tuesday of this month and that the agreement is to be completed by this time. If the agreement is not signed by then, the County will deal with issuing a stop order_ MOVED BY W. DANIELS that the Municipal Committee Chairman's Report be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9. Assessor's Report The County Assessor, John Dell, presented the Assessor's Report. MOVED BY J. DELL that the Assessor's Report be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED -5 - lo. Open Discussion Chairman Lynn Pye-Matheson opened the floor for general discussion. Jeff Van Wert inquired about the weed inspection done within the County as he feels that if the weed inspectors do not have jurisdiction or authority to go onto private land it is a waste of taxpayer's money. Todd Green advised that because Kochia is not considered a noxious or nuisance weed under the Weed Control Act there is nothing the County can enforce. Councillor Veremeeren indicated that this is an ongoing concern and that educating the public may help the situation. John Pokorney asked if there is anything the County can do to get the provincial government involved. Steve Wylie advised that a resolution regarding Kochia could be drafted and sent to the Provincial Agricultural Service Board. Dan Wester cautioned the County getting the provincial government involved. • Randy Berkeley inquired about the wastewater issue in Rolling Hills Vern Parker asked if the County was to suppose to have a program in place by May 1st Councillor Daniels advised that by May 1 st there is suppose to be a plan regarding emptying the lagoon in place. Steve Wylie advised that Gil Dufresne has contacted the Eastern Irrigation District who has agreed to flush the canal and test the water, and that Gil is working with Alberta Environment. Randy Berkeley stated that Council needs to look at the immediate clean up of the situation. • Tom Livingston inquired about the Surface Rights Act, in particular opening up the act and the removal of the pattern of dealings. Councillor Douglass advised Mr. Livingston that a copy of the proposed Act can be forwarded to him. Councillor Nesbitt indicated that within the changes the landowners could have the ability to negotiate. M Councillor Eckert advised that there is no request to open the Act, _l just to amend it. Tom Livingston indicated that he appreciates the County's support on this matter. • Dan Wester inquired about the increase in additional contracted services. Noel Moriyama advised that the following items were contracted throughout the year: • A grader for the calcium program • A Grader Operator for Division 7 ■ Planning and Development with Dillon Consulting • Jim Baksa inquired about spraying on private property Todd Green advised that some private spraying is done, but on a cost recovery basis. t� • Vern Parker inquired about changes to the Subdivision Act and process. Councillor Daniels advised that the Council has not voted on anything regarding Planning processes. Councillor Vermeeren indicated that there are issues regarding zoning issues and from that a Planning retreat was held to see how planning and development processes could be streamlined and be more user/ratepayer friendly. Vern Parker stated that he feels like he is caught in a no win situation as he is representing an owner who wishes to subdivide. Councillor Schroeder advised that if Mr. Parker wishes to get the subdivision completed to continue on with the application. • Dan Wester commented that he would like to thank the Council for the direction they have taken in providing services to the county. • Rob Brown asked if the County looked at lowering the mill rates due to the assessment increase. Councillor Douglass stated that the County has not looked at this. Councillor Nesbitt advised that the surplus is being put towards different things for the near future. -7 - Councillor Eckert stated that the County of Newell mill rates are low compared to other municipalities within the province. • Charlie Charlton inquired about condition of the Bow Slope Road. Councillor Eckert commented that he agreed with Mr. Charlton that the road needs to be worked on. Rudy Peltzer inquired about the increase in the Disaster Service budget. Councillor Nesbitt advised that the Disaster Services Committee now has a joint services with the City of Brooks, an Emergency Operations Center in the County of Newell Administration office, and after the well blow out from last year an emergency trailer has been ordered. Noel Moriyama advised that the budget also included GPS units for the fire trucks that were not purchased; therefore the money was carried forward. Rob Brown questioned if the County will be providing more funds towards the recreation complex. Councillor Douglass commented that there has been no formal discussion on this matter. • Vern Parker questioned if it ispossible to hold the Annual General Meeting a month earlier, so that farmers do not have to leave the field. Noel Moriyama explained that the earliest the meeting could be held would be around the third week of April, as the County has to wait till the auditors present their report. Councillor Vermeeren commented that the County has to wait for the auditors. l� Councillor Douglass stated that the County could look at having the meeting earlier. Noel Moriyama indicated that the meeting could be held earlier, however the printout would come out after the meeting. • Jack Harbinson questioned why the union received a wage increase of up to $10.00, with no negotiations. Councillor Douglass advised that because of staffing problems in the Public Works Department last summer there were some increases to keep the staff and not to lose them to the private industry. Noel Moriyama advised that through the collective agreement signed in January some classifications did see an increase of up to $10.00. Councillor Vermeeren indicated that there were three council members present at the negotiations. John Hartley asked with the increase in wage rates will the ratepayers be seeing more work production Councillor Schroeder advised that the Council expects a lot of work from the employees, but are still short on Heavy Equipment Operators. 11. Adiourn ( ) MOVED BY J. VAN WERT that the meeting adjourn at 8:41 p.m. MOTION CARRIED o CHAIRMAN ETARY